You’ve probably never given it a second thought when you step into a public bathroom. I mean, we all do it from time to time. What’s there to worry about, right? Well, after reading this, you might start thinking twice. A tiny camera captured exactly what goes down or up when you flush an open toilet, and you might want to see it—or maybe not. So, if you’re feeling brave, keep reading—haha.
What happens when you flush a toilet, you may ask?
Well, according to the video I’m about to share, there’s a lot happening. Quite a lot, actually. But first, let me explain the experiment. Our understanding of aerosol plumes—the ones released when you flush—has been limited because they’re typically invisible.
Until now, that is.
This video shows high-powered lasers placed around the toilet that capture all these tiny particles being released into the air when you flush.
OMG, what?
Yes, every time you flush a toilet, it releases plumes of tiny water droplets into the air around you. These droplets, called aerosol plumes, can actually spread pathogens from human waste and expose people in public restrooms to contagious diseases.
Come on! This is starting to freak me out.
How does this even happen? Well, it turns out that toilets are designed to efficiently flush the contents down through a downward motion into the drainpipe. However, during the flush cycle, the water forcefully hits what’s in the bowl, creating a fine mist of particles that get suspended in the air.
So this is how the particles become airborne.
No, no, no! I don’t want to hear that. I can’t even do the math in my head how many times I might have visited a public bathroom and seen the toilet lid wide open.
Judging by the comments on this Reddit post, I’m not the only one.
More than a few folks said they never want to use a toilet again. Haha! I’m not sure I’d go that extreme, but I do get their point. Now, what in the heck is one to do when nature calls and you’re out and about, huh?
Okay, from now on, I will never flush the toilet with an open lid again.
Well, I don’t do that at home, to be honest. And that’s because I’ve heard about the stuff flying around and getting on your toothbrush. But what about public restrooms? What do you do in that situation?
This is the right idea!
That’s for sure. But can you even avoid this? I mean, you can be as clean as a whistle, but what about the next person who uses the toilet? They could be freewheeling in there, for all we know. And what about those restrooms where the toilets don’t come with a lid, huh?
Okay, I do not like that.
I think there’s literally only one thing you can do: Avoid a public toilet at all costs! Yes, that’s what I’m going to do. The thing is…I do have a weak bladder. Oh, no! Please, anybody, do you have a better idea?
So what do you think of this?
Are you as freaked out as I am? What are you going to implement in your home to prevent this from happening? I’m actually about to go scrub the entire bathroom from top to bottom. But what about public restrooms? I think I’m going to have to become a hermit from now on.
H/T Reddit.
